Cocaine is a potent stimulant drug that affects not only the body but also the mind. For those using cocaine, mental health issues are common—with paranoia being one of the most well-known side effects of using this drug. If you or someone you know uses cocaine, it’s important to understand how this stimulant drug can lead to paranoia as well as other potential mental health side effects.
Getting help for addiction to cocaine and mental health issues is as easy as calling Promises Brazos Valley. Our cocaine rehab in Texas offers individualized treatment plans in both residential and outpatient settings. To find out more about how we can help you or someone you care about quit cocaine for good, reach out at 979.426.0086.
Mental Health Effects of Abusing Cocaine
Cocaine can have a tremendous impact on your mental health, both in the short- and long-term. Here is an overview of how cocaine affects mental well-being:
- Emotional instability – Cocaine affects serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, which are responsible for feelings of positivity and reward. Once your brain becomes dependent on cocaine for a surge of these hormones, it struggles to produce positive feelings without the drug. This can put you on an emotional roller coaster of extreme highs and lows.
- Anxiety and depression – The stimulating effects of cocaine can also trigger increased anxiety. But after the euphoric effects of the drug wear off, many people start to feel depressed and hopeless.
- Impaired cognitive function – Using cocaine over a long period can deteriorate your cognitive functioning, affecting your memory, decision-making capabilities, and overall mental clarity. As time goes on, it can become more difficult to learn new things and remember important details.
While the mental health effects may be mild for some people using cocaine, they can be extreme for others, leading to a variety of negative consequences. Getting help for cocaine abuse can put an end to paranoia and other mental health side effects. Reach out to a trusted cocaine rehab if you find it difficult to stop using the drug.
A Closer Look at Cocaine and Paranoia
When someone uses cocaine, they can experience feelings of paranoia. This refers to a state where a person may feel extreme suspicion, fear, and distrust, even when there’s no apparent reason to feel that way. For example, they might believe someone is following them, others are talking about them, or the government is spying on them. While paranoia may not appear to be a serious side effect, it can have a multitude of consequences, some of which can become rather serious.
Elevated Anxiety
Paranoia can coincide with increased anxiety, especially in someone who already has issues with anxiety. Adding cocaine to an existing anxiety disorder can cause restlessness and nagging thoughts that something bad is going to happen.
Isolation
If a person is experiencing fear and distrust related to cocaine and paranoia, they might start to isolate themselves from others. This can weaken their relationships and lead to feelings of loneliness and disconnection.
Agitation
Cocaine-induced paranoia can make a person feel more irritable and hostile. They can even become aggressive toward others, which increases their risk of getting hurt or hurting someone else.
Impaired Judgment
Since paranoia can distort a person’s perception of reality, it can lead to risky behaviors and poor decision-making, which can have dire consequences like physical altercations, injuries, or arrests.
Enroll in Cocaine Rehab at Promises Brazos Valley Today
At Promises Brazos Valley, we understand how complex addiction and co-occurring mental health challenges can be. We offer dual diagnosis treatment as part of our Texas cocaine rehab to help you manage anxiety, paranoia, and any other side effects you’re experiencing. Give us a call today at 979.426.0086 or fill out our online form so we can guide you down the path toward recovery.